How about it then Neil - Fans member on the board with the Rabbit and other young bucks as your advisors and inspirers. And don’t tell me there are any little Wilsons on the way as an excuse.
Crikey Eligorton - are you on a commission?
No wilsons on the way no! It is certainly something I’m interested in but I don’t think I could fit it in at present with my job. I do keep my hand in with a few bits though!
Go for it boy ! You are doing your bit now so u deserve some recognition and u would be the fans member on the board which can omly be good for the club bringing fans and the board closer hopefully improving relations between the terraces and the boardroom.
GE, were there any decisions or outcomes from the board meeting relating to commercial steps forward?
Cheers
I suppose I can be classed as a fan now! Having spent several years on the Board and indeed working alongside several commercial managers, Pritch included, we built up a good data base of businesses in the Vale Royal area who would sponsor matches, match balls and also attend successful sporting dinners. Whilst no longer a member of the Board I still take a very active interest in the Club and support when I can. I will certainly be doing a Match Ball Sponsorship before the end of the season.
I have written to the Chairman and expressed many of the concerns echoed in the forum, there are still boards on display on the ground which the club will not have received any money for several years, most notably GMB.
I think all Directors are aware of the situation commercially and would probably all wish to be able to put more time in to the football club. Commercial Director is hard work, at least a full day per week is needed at the Club, those supporters who criticised me probably were not aware of the amount of time I put in alongside the Commercial Manager when we got a lot of sponsors on board. Sadly the Club cannot generate enough money to support a full time or even probably part time commercial manager with a salary. I think for the past two years it is commission only based. The Commercial Director’s role within the Club is very hard, apart from working on the Commercial side, you are expected to attend matches, expected to attend other meetings, very much so in the days when I first joined the Board.
I haven’t got any answers, I know the board are frustrated, is their someone out their who is prepared to come in and sort it?
With regard to the Sporting Dinner, this time the event is being sold by Rachel, 07912 379546, I understand last week seven or eight tables had confirmed, this does include support from the Board as they felt it was necessary to get something organised following the defeat in the cup. Let’s move on from Barry Fry, again the club was let down by the individuals who were supposed to be marketing the event, we need to move on and as Andy C said I ensured that the cancelled event did not cost the club anything. So Rachel is marketing the event, actively, we need a successful night - the Chairman has made that clear, so please be positive. Dave Watson and Jed Stone will make it a great night, an auction and a raffle for the Club. Hope that people will be ringing Rachel and ordering tickets.
Take on board the points Rob has made, and think he has provided some good insight there as to what is required.
To my mind every director is a ‘commercial director’, I would quite happily rejoin the board but wouldn’t be able to do any more than I am currently, and therefore can’t see any benefit to the football club.
Whilst I agree that its a time consuming role, GE,myself, Jim Powell all work full time but have still managed to raise thousands of pounds for the football club over the years.
In respect of the Commercial Manager duties surely we can ‘have a go’ at employing someone 2 days a week on say £100 basic + decent commission on a 3 month trial basis?
It should be a self financing and revenue generating role.
Thanks Rob
Likewise agreeing with Chad many people who do a lot for the club are working full time and this generally includes the directors which is why I defend them - they have no more hours in the day than we fans do!
Chad’s point I’d like to highlight however is the part time bit, has it been approached? (afterall wasn’t benny only 1 day a week Witton although effectivley employed by another organisation?) Getting someone to do this however may be easier said than done. If its a dead duck then fair enough.
Also like young Chad I too would be interested in joining the board as noted below but with no more time to give. Would that make any difference therefore?
Chad’s idea is a good one for consideration, this is a position that may suit someone who may have given up work to carry out childcare or something and had only so many hours a week, but still wants to earn some good money. This person could be pointed in the right direction.
That however brings me to one of the main points…direction! I am not sure that the focus of this is solely about the hours put in, I think it is as much to do with focus and direction! What are all the things we have to sell, which are the easiest to sell, which brings us most return from time spent, who are are targets and how do we reach them? With regards to things like advertising boards, programme adverts, etc has anyone recently updated our ‘rates’ for such items and also set out any targets or projections for what our income will be? Does revenue from these areas figure in the boards operating budget and what are actual results versus projections.
Certainly some information on these areas is not for public posting however I think with a reliance on the fans to contribute significantly to the ‘marketing’ revenue that a little bit of communication and sharing of information would help everyone pull in the same direction. When information is not known fans have a habit of making it up (take a look over the canal). The better fans are informed (within appropriate reason), the more they feel they play a part in the success and also know more regards how they can help to make a difference.
So, whilst working hours are a legitimate reason for a lack of effectiveness the issue starts with the direction and some clear objectives - my concern is that we have not neccesarily worked that out and this is the bit that frustrates. Maybe I wrong, maybe their is a very good plan in place, clear targets and a strategy for success (but if there is I am unaware like other fans)!
The danger is we go around in circles!!!
[quote]
What are all the things we have to sell, which are the easiest to sell, which brings us most return from time spent, who are are targets and how do we reach them? With regards to things like advertising boards, programme adverts, etc has anyone recently updated our ‘rates’ for such items and also set out any targets or projections for what our income will be? [/quote]
Totally agree with that Rabbit. Although I’m sure we all mention it to our friends and family about sponsorship opportunites at the club etc. I think it would be good for the club to advertise what they are offering in more detail (apologies if the club have advertised and I’ve missed it). Could the club maybe publish details of what they have on offer this season and how much it costs? Its usually the first question that people ask when you are trying to convince them to part with their cash!!
Its only a suggestion like, but a was just thinkin reading these last of couple of posts, whats to say that just one person has to do the ‘commercial manager’ job? If there a few people that are decent at this sort of job but are only willing to give up say 5 hours a week each, whats to say we cant get each of them in at different times to try and produce more money for the club? Surely this would then improve the likelihood of the club getting more revenue through commercial activities and also there will be differing ideas which can only be good for finding even more commercial revenue streams! I havent had any experience of current commercial activities (kind of hard to being in scotland!) but it seems like GE has come up with a gem of an idea in the predict the scores game! having more people involved on the commercial side maybe as i have suggested would only bring more great ideas to the table? Your thoughts appreciated!
I am sure all the information will be on the official website Greg if you go to there. Chances are there is a link straight to all the information you need!
Just had a look, it doesn’t cost much by the looks of it! 
Your right Rabbit - going round in circles - wait for the AGM !
The problem Pete in waiting is in part the need to consider what is happening over the canal and the opportunity it presently gives us with local businesses. No company is going to sponsor a match ball, a game or invest in a advertising board over there whilst things are up in the air so we should really be waiting for nothing, we have a window of opportunity!!!
Based on the possible scenarios across the water…
a) if the take over goes over the new owner is likely to target local businesses for sponsorship and support in a far more aggressive manner than we are doing - hence we will have missed the boat!
b) if they get liquidated then the sympathy pound is likely to come out - people will support the new club to be seen to back the underdog - hence we miss out.
The time to strike is now!!!
Window of opportunity indeed, this counts for everything at the club however.
Whilst the commercial side is maybe a specific job everyone can assist in their own small way to ensure we get promoted and get more publicity etc. Wouldn’t you like to see us 5 leagues above them next year or at worst starting the season believing we could actually finish above them if in the same league?
Make it happen.
I’m looking for some more help soon on a couple more publicity projects - nothing major and I’m not asking for your money either. More to follow.
Neil, give me a shout if there is anything I can do?
Cheers
Don’t worry I will be doing!
Neil, let me know if I can help in any way.
Robbo
" All profits go directly to the WAFC Development Fund "
U seem to be making some kind of statement, do u know something we don’t or is it just my suspicious nature?
You’ve lost me?!
Luckily i haven’t lost your 2 tickets for Race Night - see me later with your £5
